-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The top cop in Ciudad Juarez , Mexico , escaped a `` sneak attack '' by gunmen early Thursday while on patrol in the city , the Juarez mayor told reporters .

Lt. Col. Julian Leyzaola was not injured in the attack . One of the gunmen was injured by return fire from police .

The gunmen were carrying out extortion on a local business when Leyzaola 's patrol coincidentally came across the incident , according to Juarez Mayor Hector `` Teto '' Murguia .

`` If the criminals resist giving up ... well then there will be incidents of confrontation . Until what point ? As long as necessary , '' Leyzaola said in an interview earlier this month with CNN in Juarez .

On the job for barely three months , the new police chief of Ciudad Juarez -- the globally recognized hot spot in Mexico 's drug wars -- predicted bold changes in his new border home and said confidentially during the interview : `` The police will regain the city . ''

`` The municipal police is still standing ... and will continue fighting , '' Murguia said after the attack . `` The municipal police , particularly the lieutenant colonel , confirm that they will clean up this historic city , '' Murguia said .

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Lt. Col. Julian Leyzaola happened upon extortion in progress , mayor says

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Leyzaola was on patrol as part of his new role in Ciudad Juarez

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Juarez is hot spot of Mexican drug violence